Comments on: The Evangelical Liturgy 7: The Invocation

By: SearchingAnglican

SearchingAnglican — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:28:14 +0000

Is this perhaps what we Anglicans would call the “Collect”, which takes place after the Gloria and before the OT reading? It’s not very long and, of course, highly scripted. However, the collect IS rich in the “theology of God” and seems to take place at about the same time as an invocation. Of course, I know we’re talking about evangelical litergy, so we’re not comparing apples to apples, but that’s what I think of.

Last Sunday’s collect was:
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

By: Blake

Blake — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:43:55 +0000

I started an online devotional almost three years ago (and so I am about to complete all three cycles!) for my youth and other people in “our tribe” since I feel many of us lacked the full, deep and rich blessing(s) of Iiturgy and the idea of reading the same passages as millions of others around the world during the same Sunday and week; as well as getting an idea of the difference between invocation, prayers of praise, pastoral prayer, etc.

I am part of the Canadian Baptists of Western canada and we are a weird lot, as in all over the map. I see the younger generations craving liturgy and tradition (I think perhaps many reject what their parents held too, or they are tired of “surfacy stuff”); the worship times I have with youth are much more liturgical and steeped in tradition than those who claim they want our morning service back to the traditional one they once had (which is actually habitual and not traditional). The prayers of invocation given by the young people are amazing and real.
Anyway, I was blessed by Job and Shawchuck’s “A Gudie to Prayer” books and also “Pray As You Go” (free podcast found on iTunes), so I created a simple and similar format online. http://www.straypunks.com it is very basic, but just wanted ya to know there are some protestants, even evangelicals up here that seek, bless and are blessed through liturgy, follow the lectionary and take invocation seriously. I even have icons in the office and use a prayer bracelet. Thanks for bringing this one to discussion.

By: Pat

Pat — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:07:10 +0000

Fine with me! I think it’s in the public domain. You can also get little signs (don’t know what else to call them, you stick them in the ground) that say “May Peace Prevail On Earth.”

By: Xenia

Xenia — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 04:26:18 +0000

Every Orthodox Divine Liturgy begins with “Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, unto ages of ages,” and the people respond “Amen.”

By: dumb ox

dumb ox — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 02:57:37 +0000

So short, but says so much.

By: Jjoe

Jjoe — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 01:23:39 +0000

That’s wonderful! If you don’t mind, I’m going to save and use it for a blessing via email and fb that I send out weekly. I love to launch God’s love into cyberspace because it always seems to end up in a place where it does good.

By: Paul Wilkinson

Paul Wilkinson — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:57:39 +0000

Exactly. Or to be rather trite about it, why should we invoke his presence if it’s his house? Or a little less trite, why should we invoke his presence if he said he would never leave us nor forsake us? No, it’s got to be about creating in the congregation a heightened awareness of a presence that already exists.

By: Paul Wilkinson

Paul Wilkinson — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:54:15 +0000

On our recent visit to Mars Hill (Grand Rapids) the worship team was at the front, but essentially had their backs to the congregation facing the same screen we were singing from and facing the cross at the front. Most effective symbolism.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:24:39 +0000

Hi, all! In TEC the given invocation is used during Ordinary Time, or during most of the church year. During Lent, we use:

Celebrant: Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
People: His mercy endures forever.

Between Easter and Pentecost (my favorite!),

Celebrant: Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Special invocations are used during Holy Week. Just in case anyone’s curious…

By: Pat

Pat — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:05:37 +0000

Our church uses the Great Invocation, which I think is very beautiful:

From the point of Light within the Mind of God
Let light stream forth into the minds of men.
Let Light descend on Earth.

From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let love stream forth into the hearts of men.
May Christ return to Earth.

From the centre where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide the little wills of men â€“
The purpose which the Masters know and serve.

From the centre which we call the race of men
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.

Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.